1
as in thrill
a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings
the lavish spectacle results in one exhilaration after another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in ecstasy
a state of overwhelming usually pleasurable emotion
the exhilaration of victory that spectators get to witness at the Olympic Games
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exhilaration
Those reporters told stories of war in all its gore and its glory, its exhilaration and its ennui.
—
Kathy Kiely, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
But Woo stages his action sequences with the grace and fluidity of a great Vincente Minnelli set piece, making the gunfights less acts of violence than of pure aesthetic exhilaration and beauty.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026
With Spoelstra appreciative of the emotional drain of the experience, as well as the eventual exhilaration.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
But there is also a pure exhilaration in standing on that last precipice, face-to-face with the question that exists beyond all other questions—which is to say, God.
—Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exhilaration
Kathy Kiely, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
But Woo stages his action sequences with the grace and fluidity of a great Vincente Minnelli set piece, making the gunfights less acts of violence than of pure aesthetic exhilaration and beauty.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026
With Spoelstra appreciative of the emotional drain of the experience, as well as the eventual exhilaration.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
But there is also a pure exhilaration in standing on that last precipice, face-to-face with the question that exists beyond all other questions—which is to say, God.
—Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exhilaration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhilaration
Noun
-
And at the counter, where chef and guest are separated by little more than a stretch of the hand, everything rests on precision, presence and the quiet thrill of relinquishing control to the chef’s capable hands.—
Rachel Ingram,
Robb Report,
10 May 2026
-
But the mood onboard was festive, with passengers talking to each other about the thrill of joining a new route.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Investigators recovered fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, MDMA and tusi, a pink powder often containing ketamine and/or MDMA.—
Eric Mack,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
Black is charged with allegedly trafficking between 10 grams and 200 grams of MDMA, known on the street as molly or ecstasy.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Another factor is that Barcelona do not currently have a real free-kick specialist.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
Reigns hit a pair of Superman punches, but Fatu hit a kick.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Indeed, hearing about your trips could bring them a lot of joy.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2026
-
Motherhood has been the greatest joy of my life.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Throughout the visual, the three-time Grammy winner can be seen traipsing through the palace's opulent halls in a coquettish ensemble, capturing the elation of newfound romance.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Restaurant owners express elation, hoping the prestigious nod will elevate their cultural heritage and inspire others to seek out authentic cuisines.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The rare flower is known to add luck and happiness to those who adorn their space with its fortune, which is why the water bearer is the ideal sign to align with it.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
Sometimes, adds Waldinger, these casual conversations can lead to deeper conversations and a greater sense of connection in our lives, which add to our happiness.—
Rhitu Chatterjee,
NPR,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The resulting track feels like being lost within the euphoria of an underground dance floor exemplified.—
Miki Hellerbach,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Competitors must complete a final lap on the roof deck before crossing the finish line, where wind, sweeping night views, and physical intensity combine to elicit a surge of euphoria.—
Michelle Sinclair Colman,
Curbed,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Warnings, laments, and odes to renewal were expressed pictorially as dying days under bleeding heavens, belching volcanoes, proud icebergs, lavish rainbows amid spangling, mist-suffusing sunlight and dawns of peace and hope.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Gaga and Doechii, a match made in fashion heaven, and two style students who clearly did their homework for this assignment.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exhilaration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilaration. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
